Former ESPN analyst David Pollack expressed reservations about selecting Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward as the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. This stance is a little different from Pollack's previous high praise for Ward. Pollack shared this opinion on his own podcast, "See Ball, Get Ball with David Pollack".
Just four months ago, Pollack described Ward as "easily" the best player in college football, citing his performance with Miami in 2024. However, the narrative took a turn following the Pop-Tarts Bowl game against Iowa State in which Ward made headlines for two very different reasons.
One of the headlines was from Ward surpassing Case Keenum's NCAA Division I record for career touchdown passes. He threw three touchdowns in the first half and brought his career total to 158. The other headline was Ward opting out of the second half. The Hurricanes ultimately suffered a narrow 42-41 loss, leading to criticism from some analysts and fans who questioned Ward's commitment to his team.
The Pop-Tarts Bowl seems to have influenced Pollack's reassessment of Ward's draft prospects. While acknowledging Ward's talent, Pollack now expresses hesitation about selecting him as the top pick, suggesting that other factors such as leadership qualities and decision-making under pressure are being weighed more heavily in his evaluation.
While Ward has gained support from many, such NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner and former NFL QB Tim Hasselbeck, Pollack is not the only analyst who has a different opinion on the projected No. 1 pick. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has indicated a preference for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders over Ward, citing Sanders' ability to handle NFL-like conditions and resilience under pressure. Kiper still projects Ward to the Tennessee Titans with the top pick and thinks Sanders may be a better fit for teams like the New York Giants.
Ward's own actions have also contributed to the ongoing debate. Last month, he made statements suggesting that no other player should be drafted before him, a sentiment that some interpret as confidence and others might see as a potential red flag regarding his mindset entering the professional arena. It will all play out soon enough as the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft is almost three weeks away.